Snodgrass, Gibson face up to 10 years in prison

Saturday

Dec 28, 2013 at 11:50 AMDec 28, 2013 at 11:50 AM

By Matt DurrTwitter: @mdurrHDN

HILLSDALE — The two men accused of stealing multiple chainsaws in Hillsdale County are getting closer to knowing their fate after a pair of court appearances this week.Curtis Maxwell Snodgrass and Kyle Damen Gibson both face up to 10 years in prison after being charged with one count each of one count of breaking and entering a building with intent, one count of conspiracy to commit breaking and entering a building with intent, one count of possession of burglary tools and one count of breaking and entering a vehicle to steal property more than $1,000 but less than $20,000.On Monday, Dec. 23, Snodgrass, 23, of Montgomery pleaded guilty to the charge of breaking and entering a building with intent in Hillsdale County Circuit Court. The other three charges will be dismissed at the time of sentencing as part of a plea bargain. He will be sentenced on Jan. 27, 2014 at 8:30 a.m.Gibson, 23 of Wolcotville, Ind., appeared in Hillsdale County District Court Thursday for a pretrial examination, which was delayed for two weeks because his lawyer, Rod Dunham, would like to continue to discuss the scoring of the crimes for his client. Dunham plans to discuss the issue with prosecutors and will be back in court on Jan. 8, 2014 at 1 p.m.During Thursday’s examination, Dunham asked Judge Donald Sanderson to consider lowering Gibson’s bond, which was set at $100,000. Dunham explained that his client planned on moving in with his grandparents — who live in the county — while the court matter was on going. Gibson’s family was willing to sign a surety bond for him, but Sanderson would not agree to those terms.Instead, Sanderson lowered bond to $50,000 with 10 percent allowed, meaning it would cost $5,000 to get him out of jail.Dunham said both the prosecutors and the officer involved in the case admitted that Gibson was very cooperative during the case and Dunham also pointed out that Gibson has no prior record. Sanderson however, would not reduce bond any further.According to court documents, the two men are accused of breaking into buildings and vehicles to steal chain saws. The thefts are believed to have occurred on Dec. 1 and Gibson admitted during his arraignment last week that he was expecting to be arrested in the case and was willing to turn himself in once a warrant was issued.Gibson and Snowgrass are both currently being held at the Hillsdale County Jail.